The most influential crime novel ever?

[John Baird]

I’m giving a talk on ‘Ten Great Crime Novels’ with a look at the stories behind the stories.

I want to include the ten most influential and important crime novels, as opposed to a best-selling list (so no Dragon or Dan Brown).

In your view, what one book MUST be on the list?

For the purpose of this post please ignore the obscure gem that you keep going back to. Think classic!

[Jack Getze]

Double Indemnity by James M. Cain

[Jack Getze]

Ten Little Indians by Agatha Christie is another classic crime tale, a model for today's teenage slasher films. And Then There Were None, is the old movie title.

[Jack Getze]

How about Doyle, Sherlock's creator? The Hound of the Baskervilles is my favorite, the apparently paranormal monster explained in the end by phosphorous, torture, and a dog chosen for its size.

[John Baird]

Dana, yes, Hammett is there but, whilst I love Red Harvest, it will either be The Maltese Falcon or The Glass Key. I lean towards TMF for the Sam Spade element but TGK tells us more about the author, himself a huge influence.

[John Baird]

Eric, I agree. Chandler is on my list but, as you say, it's difficult to choose one book. The Long Goodbye will probably make the cut. To paraphrase Chandler, "I write the kind of books that the reader would want to read even if the last page was ripped out."

The plots don't live up to the style but what an influence!

The Friends of Eddie Coyle? Interesting suggestion. Thank you.

    

[Eric Christopherson]

Raymond Chandler's had an enormous influence, but I'm not sure any one books stands out unless it's The Longe Goodbye.

[Eric Christopherson]

I read somewhere recently that George Higgins' The Friends of Eddie Coyle had a heavy influence on a lot of authors, including Elmore Leonard.

[Dana King]

Dashiell Hammett has to be on the list. Whether you choose RED HARVEST or THE MALTESE FALCON depends on your taste, and which influences you consider to be most important.